GEAR4 AirZone Series 1 AirPlay Speaker

GEAR4 is joining the AirPlay party with its first AirPlay offering: the GEAR4 AirZone Series 1 speaker. Sporting clean, simple lines wrapped in a bright metallic finish, the AirZone Series 1 speaker looks ready to stream your tunes in style.

A front-mounted dock displays (and charges) your iPhone, iPod or iPad front and center where you can control it through a row of top-mounted switches, or by using the matching remote control (included). Or you can forgo the dock entirely and stream your music via AirPlay from your i-device or iTunes-equipped computer from anywhere in your home.

Notable features — apart from a cool art-deco vibe — include an EQ, good-old FM, and a rotary volume control. (Here’s hoping it’s one of those nicely weighted volume knobs found in some larger receivers, or Logitech’s excellent Z-5500 5.1 speaker rig from a few years back.)

A dedicated iPod accessory brand of UK-based designer Disruptive Limited, GEAR4 specializes in “all things iPod,” with a range of products that include speakers, headphones, cases, and most recently a line of Angry Birds-branded accessories. Scheduled for late November, the GEAR4 AirZone Series 1 speaker is priced at $299. Check it out in detail at GEAR4.